The goal of this project is to develop a portable skin metabolite analyzer based on ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS). IMS is a convenient and fast analytical technique that finds applications in various fields related to academic research and industry. The IMS-based platform will be automated, thus enabling operation by medical personnel without formal training in analytical chemistry.

Our laboratory has extensive expertise in chemical analysis of skin excretion specimens focused on detection of skin-related biomarkers. Compared with other techniques of skin excretion analysis, the proposed approach is fast, convenient, and non-invasive. The platform should also enable chemical profiling of skin excretions in the point of care, and data sharing via the cloud.

Skin excretion analysis is rarely considered by doctors. The proposed ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS)-based analytical platform can be used by medicine professionals and forensic scientists. It may enable detection of skin biomarkers to screen patients, and detect exogenous substances in skin excretions of suspects. If the proposed technology is automated, then such analysis can be conducted by inexperienced users.